I Don’t Have Any Magic Power but I’m Having a Blast at the Academy

5

Eternity’s ‘Magic Training Ground’ is renowned worldwide for having the best facilities.

The vast area spanning thousands of square meters ranks among the largest in the world, and with state-of-the-art equipment, novices can fully dedicate themselves to magic training.

As a result, the magic training ground, usually bustling with novices, was deserted and cold in early February before the start of the new semester.

The only ones who could participate were the prospective students whose enrollment had been confirmed. It was a February that still retained the cold of winter, and at 6 a.m., a time when even the sharp chill of the morning had not yet dissipated, there seemed to be no one else besides me, who had awakened early the day before to test my energy, willing to train.

Pew! Pew!

In the magic training area, there was a student who effortlessly dodged the flying magic spheres without pause.

With such exceptional reflexes, not a single one of the six magic spheres that flew towards them was missed. Slightly impressed, I confirmed the student’s identity and nodded my head.

It was Eungaye. If it came to her swordsmanship skills, slicing through flying magic spheres would be a walk in the park for her. Eungaye’s swordsmanship, honed since childhood, was of a high caliber.

But I knew. That very swordsmanship was the biggest obstacle for Eungaye.

The formal swordsmanship of Eungaye, who had strong instincts, did not fit her like ill-fitting clothes.

Yet, the reason Eungaye could reach such a high level was purely due to her exceptional talent.

“But that’s not how you’re supposed to do it…”

Magic sphere training was about evading, not cutting. I knew from trying it in games; if you cut instead of dodge, you wouldn’t last long.

Initially, when three or four flew towards you, it seemed easy, but as you moved back, the number of magic spheres suddenly increased like crazy.

“Whoa!”

Just like that.

Eungaye, whose hands got tangled in the flying magic spheres, attempted a strange acrobatic move and fell backward.

“…I’m craving popcorn.”

Although it was quite entertaining, as I wasn’t there to watch, I set aside my regret and headed towards the “Individual Shooting Range.”

[Welcome to the Eternity Shooting Range.]

As I pressed the button at the entrance, accompanied by mechanical sounds, the iron door opened.

The shooting range was a long, white space devoid of anything.

Chick—-

As I entered and the door closed, a mechanical voice announced, [Please select a theme.]

▶City ▶Mountain ▶Dungeon

“City.”

Choosing the city theme, which seemed the most comfortable among the various options that appeared, the shooting range momentarily darkened.

When the lights came back on, I found myself not in the shooting range but standing in the middle of Gangnam Station.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

Indeed, Eternity. The realism of virtual reality was astonishing. Were the targets popping out between the buildings?

[Entering the 150m shooting range. Please set the number of targets.]

“One.”

Since it was my first time, I thought I should start with a taste.

[Confirmed. Targets are appearing.]

As the mechanical sound passed, a spider-like monster popped out from the subway station 150m ahead.

***

To put it bluntly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that my situation was desperate.

Other than briefly trying Taekwondo when I was young, which was merely about breathing, I had no talent or magic to hone.

Literally, my current reality was that a regular student’s punch could tear me apart.

It’s not an expression; I mean it literally, tearing apart.

They were kids who mockingly brushed off walls, but couldn’t they break through my body?

However, I wasn’t particularly worried. All the pieces of the survival puzzle were already in place.

Umph.

My outstretched hand gleams white.

Manifestation of mana.

More precisely, it’s ‘ki energy’.

Easily distinguished, mana is borrowed from nature, while ki energy is the inherent potential within a person.

Therefore, unlike mana, ki energy doesn’t require complex calculations or intense focus.

It felt like moving my arm without concentrating.

Shweeek!

Swiftly shot ki energy shattered the head of a demon that was restlessly moving back and forth at 150 meters.

“Oh, not bad.”

It might take a few more shots to gauge the power accurately, but for a first attempt, it wasn’t bad.

[Entering 200m shooting range. Please set the number of targets.]

“Three.”

[Confirmed. Targets appearing.]

After the mechanical sound, three demons popped up amidst the cityscape.

Simultaneously, three rounds of ki energy shot from my hand.

The ki energy crushed the demons’ heads without missing a beat.

It was the result of the talent, ‘genius of martial arts’.

The genius of martial arts was an ability that applied to whatever I threw unless a machine took over, like guns.

For example, ‘restraint’ and ‘confinement’.

Movement.

“Is this… alright?”

I was slightly surprised.

The speed was there, and the accuracy seemed impeccable. Is this what talent looks like?

I widened the target distance to 250 meters, increasing the number with each successful hit.

Four, five, six…

Targets rose and fell several times.

Finally, when seven targets rose and five fell, a ki energy bullet missed.

I couldn’t even shoot at the remaining target due to lack of ki energy.

[250m target hits 5/7]

“Is this the limit?”

Feeling drained of ki energy, I shut down the shooting system.

Objectively speaking, the result was ‘terrible’.

Barely scraping through as the lowest tier among Eternity novices.

Even in terms of total ki energy or physical prowess, I fell short.

But I was completely satisfied.

It’s not just about what was shown now, as ki energy has more to offer.

Energy that can be controlled at will according to my intentions.

Once familiar, I might be able to freely transform shapes and use it like objects.

Though untested, I could clearly discern its potential uses as a part of my body.

Well, even if it’s just a tiny increase, the capacity is still trivial, so focusing on creating variables is the key······

“It doesn’t matter.”

What’s important is not now, but how much progress can be made in the future.

[You have depleted your energy to the bottom for the first time. You are rewarded with 500 SP.]

[Total energy increases by 0.03.]

[Mastery of Non-Elemental Magic Lv1 increases by 1.2%.]

Seeing the results makes me proud and happy.

Leaving the shooting range with a content heart, suddenly there was a loud thud on the floor.

“What’s that?”

I stopped in confusion. The origin was beyond the left barrier. Curious, I headed towards the source of the sound. And what I saw left me dumbfounded.

“What is he doing?”

In a corner of the training ground, Eungaye was showcasing some serious slapstick.

Stumbling like a toddler taking its first steps, hopping around, then losing balance comically and falling.

The sound that echoed on the floor a while ago was Eungaye falling down.

Perplexed, I soon understood the reason.

‘Ah, Gift Training.’

Gifts are abilities that are hard to control without training.

Eungaye’s ‘Gravity’ in particular, when pushed beyond a certain level, causes gravitational instability in the body.

The ridiculous sight I’m witnessing is a result of this phenomenon.

Then it happened. I locked eyes with Eungaye, who was wiping sweat with a towel.

“······.”

“······.”

Eungaye’s expression stiffened. I acted nonchalant, but deep down, I was nervous.

It wasn’t intentional, but I ended up witnessing Eungaye’s embarrassment.

“······Hey, did you see that?”

“What?”

In an instant, Eungaye glared at me.

“Just the falling part.”

I told the truth. I considered denying it, but Eungaye’s gaze was too piercing.

“Just the falling part?”

“Stumbling, hopping, losing balance, all of it.”

“······.”

Eungaye’s eyes wavered. Then, awkwardly, they turned away and made an excuse.

“I, I just tripped while walking.”

“······Ah, I see.”

“Really.”

Perhaps my response was inadequate, as Eungaye emphasized the truth. Then, abruptly, they turned their head and glared at me.

“Let’s just pretend you didn’t see. Spread rumors, and you’re dead.”

Why is their temper flaring all of a sudden?

Looking bewildered, Eungaye fled the training ground as if escaping.

I told her before I forget what I saw earlier.

“Hey, Eungaye, it’s not about striking the magic circle, it’s about avoiding it.”

In an instant, Eungaye’s steps faltered. And then.

Kwaang─!

The door of the training ground shut roughly.

***

······A week had passed. During that time, I made the most of it.

I had grown accustomed to synchronizing with Gram, and although I had earned quite a bit of SP by doing various things, the greatest achievement was undoubtedly the utilization of energy.

Whoosh!

The energy extended from my hand would grab Gram placed against the wall and return.

“This is really convenient.”

Being able to freely manipulate energy significantly reduced the need to move my body.

There were still some clumsy aspects, but they would improve with time.

Satisfied, I left the training ground and entered the dormitory lobby, where the students who recognized me began to whisper.

“Hey, isn’t that him? The ace.”

“Oh! Right. The top student. Heard he opened the exam room door and left during the written test. Is that true?”

Since I had been going back and forth between the training ground and my room, I had little interaction with the other students.

If there was any, it would be during meals, but the other students, all from wealthy families, did not stay in the dormitory.

They had been enjoying themselves elsewhere, but as the entrance ceremony was just three days away, they began to show up now.

“But what nonsense is the top student talking about now?”

Since I had caused a scene during the written test, it was plausible that attention would be drawn. Still, the top student went too far. Could rumors spread so widely?

It was absurd, but I didn’t pay it any mind. After all, I had barely passed the practical test.

No matter how good my written score was, it all could be forgotten in the practical.

Moreover, there were so many monsters in Eternity.

Starting with the protagonist Cheon Woojin, who was clearly the main character, being the talented son of a high-ranking official in the Association, surpassing the strength of ordinary students, and possessing a unique······

And I, who had surpassed such individuals and become the top student?

“Either the examiner is out of their mind, or the evaluation criteria have gone awry.”

So, it was all nonsense. I shook my head and left the lobby. As I returned to my room, someone was waiting for me at the door.

“Oh, you’re finally here. Are you Haesol student, right?”

It was a bright, smiling girl with pink hair.

The blue brooch pinned to her chest indicated that she was a member of the student council.

Of course, since students who had not formally enrolled would not know this, I showed a very newcomer-like reaction.

“Yes, that’s correct. Who are you?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Erica, a member of the student council.”

As our hands met when she extended hers with a smile, Erica unexpectedly spoke up.

“Congratulations, Haesol student, for entering the school as the top student.”

“What?”

I blinked my eyes, wondering if I was hearing things, as Erica’s words felt like a bolt out of the blue.

“······I’m the top student?”

“Yes.”

“How are you feeling? I barely passed the practical exam myself.”

“Didn’t the practical instructor praise you as having ‘amazing skills’?”

······All I remember is struggling to survive. Are those skills?

Caught off guard by the unexpected outcome, I was taken aback while Erica chuckled.

“hehehe, nothing special, just stand on the platform as the representative of the new students during the entrance ceremony and recite the oath.”

······Is that really nothing?

Living collectively is the best way to blend in.

If you end up with titles like class president or top student, you might find yourself being dragged around, becoming a classroom slave in no time.

Without accepting the oath Erica handed me, I inquired.

“What happens if I don’t do this? I have stage fright, you see.”

“It’s just a suggestion, so if it’s too burdensome, you don’t have to do it.”

With a regretful expression, Erica added, “However, if you do, you’ll have the chance to enter the Hero’s Report as a reward.”

“I’ll do it. Just leave it to me.”

As I clenched the recitation paper that was moving away, Erica’s expression brightened. Yet, she asked with a hint of confusion.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You just mentioned having stage fright…”

“Well, a little peppermint should do the trick.”

It wasn’t just okay; to be honest, it was great.

In the Hero’s Report hall of Eternity, there were treasures collected by the Student Council, such as magical artifacts and scrolls.

One could only enter after making significant contributions to the Student Council or becoming top of the class.

Of course, all the valuable items had long been taken, so the story went that if luck was against you and you received the Hero’s Report as compensation, you were out of luck. But…

‘I must be lucky.’

I smiled as I accepted the oath.

The Hero’s Report.

Within it lay the ‘Hidden Pieces’ that I could immediately put to use.